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Tag: Youth Minister

  • Youth minister receives NIYEEDEP delegation as youth farmers enrollment commences

    Youth minister receives NIYEEDEP delegation as youth farmers enrollment commences

    Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has received a delegation from the Nigerian Youth Economic Engagement and De-Radicalisation Programme (NIYEEDEP) in his office to discuss the way forward for the initiative.

    The delegation included the Coordinator-General, Comrade Kennedy Iyere; representatives from the American Grant Writers Association, Ms. Staci Smith and Mr.Marc Paley; as well as African representative for Bayern Munich Football Club, Mr. Victor Obinna Edeh. Others were Innocent Chime, CEO of Top7 Orlando and Onyeka Ogbu, a retired Director at the CBN.

    During the visit, the Minister was briefed on the progress of the NIYEEDEP and the scheduled unveiling of the youth farmers enrollment portal, which is expected to create millions of direct jobs for Nigerian youths across the agricultural value chain.

    Comrade Kennedy, the Coordinator-General, in his address, appreciated the Minister for receiving the delegation, while emphasising that the partnership with the Ministry was intended to mobilise young Nigerians to address current economic challenges facing the economy, especially high youth unemployment, food insecurity and household poverty.

    He stated that NIYEEDEP exists to empower Nigerian youths in helping to address these outlined key economic problems by creating direct jobs in key sectors such as agriculture, agro-allied industries, sports, technology, and the creative and digital economy.

    According to Comrade Iyere, the portal unveiling ceremony to drive recruitment into the innovative agricultural project will bring together diverse stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, NGOs, CSOs, FBOs, development partners, youth organisations,diaspora stakeholders, cooperative networks, security agencies and women groups.

    The event would serve as a critical step in operationalising NIYEEDEP and transforming youth from job seekers into entrepreneurs, as creators of their own jobs, thus generating wealth and alleviating poverty.

    In response, the Minister expressed his appreciation to the delegation for coming to Nigeria to assist the government in solving the problem of unemployment faced by Nigerian youth, while commending the team for the excellent work so far.

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    He also reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards fulfilling his responsibilities to Nigerian youth, especially in areas of capacity building, youth empowerment, skills training, and job creation.

    The Minister urged the delegation to take decisive actions to ensure that Nigerian youths can see and feel tangible results from the programme ahead of its unveiling.

    The portal, which will provide Nigerian youths with the opportunity to apply for agricultural grants and other financing and technical supports, is expected to be unveiled on January 17, 2025, in Abuja.

  • Ondo APC passes vote of confidence on Youth Minister

    Ondo APC passes vote of confidence on Youth Minister

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in Akure South Council has passed a vote of confidence on the Minister of State for Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande.

    It said it was satisfied with the performance of Olawande in the last nine months and the initiative to empower over 500,000 youths nationwide, through skill acquisition.

    Speaking in Akure, the chairman of the APC in Akure South, Dr. Akinmolayan Fesobi, said Olawande’s performance has rekindled hope in the ability of the youth to manage the affairs of the country.

    Dr. Akimmolayan said the launching of the “One Youth, Two Skills” programme, recently launched was capable of employing over 500,000 youths nationwide.

    He said Olawende fostered partnerships with the private sector and secured N10bn in funding for youth development initiatives.

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    According to him, “Minister Olawande, has helped to establish 20 Youth Development Centres across the country.

    “He initiated the National Youth Mentorship Scheme, pairing 50,000 youths with industry experts, to boost employment.

    “We urged Nigerians to support Olawande’s initiatives, as he is busy promoting collective efforts to drive youth empowerment and national progress,” Fesobi remarked.